In Light of the World he explains that he meant condoms -- widely
recognized as cheap and effective in preventing the spread of HIV and
other sexually-transmitted infections -- were not the only thing needed
to help prevent new infections.

He stopped far short, however, of saying that the Church endorses condom
use. He merely said they have a place in morality, in avoiding the
spread of HIV:

"She [the church] of course does not regard it as a real or moral solution, but, in
this or that case, there can be nonetheless, in the intention of
reducing the risk of infection, a first step in a movement toward a
different way, a more human way, of living sexuality," the pontiff said in the book.

While it's a far cry from endorsing condom use, public health
professionals laud it as a small step in the right direction. Paula
Gianino, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, told the Daily RFT that even baby steps are appreciated.

"We're grateful for the Pope's statement," Gianino says. "It is a small
but, in our view, really critical step in the right direction. I think
all of us in public health hoped that the pope would go further, but
it's undeniable that within his statement is a recognition of something
we have said forever: that the consistent use of condoms is one of the
most effective defenses people have to protect themselves and their
partners from infection."

Don't expect a condom basket next to the holy water font at your local cathedral any time soon, but do check out the Pope's remarks for yourself.